Originally appeared in the Fall 2019 Members’ Newsletter
Florence Price (1887–1953) was one of the first African-American women to be nationally recognized as a composer, and the first African-American woman to have her work performed by a major American orchestra; the Chicago Symphony Orchestra gave the world premiere of her Symphony No. 1 in 1933.
Originally appeared in the Fall 2019–Spring 2020 Season Program Book
The Thalea String Quartet was formed in 2014 and is dedicated to building a new and diverse audience for chamber music through innovative programming and community engagement. They are currently the Young Professional String Quartet at the Butler School of Music, where they are mentored by the Miró Quartet (Caramoor’s ESSQIR 2000–2001!).
Last summer, we asked them about their upcoming Caramoor residency.
September marked Back-to-School and Back-to-Regular Business hours for most of the community — but not for Caramoor. We continue to ‘dig in’ on the work which continues on the visitor experience improvements that are part of Inspire: A Campaign for Caramoor’s Future. You may have seen the messaging in our emails and as a banner on our website that we were closed to the public.
Caramoor’s Rosen House archivist, Christopher Thomas shares how Caramoor all began! Get the whole story from the very beginnings of the land itself to the evolution of the property’s main house.
Above, the farm complex circa 1930.
While the music-making (and some of the staff) may have taken a long REST during the month of August, if you visited Caramoor you may have been surprised at how busy things are.
On the Monday following the Summer Season finale — July 29 — work began on the comprehensive campus revitalization plan being undertaken as part of Inspire: A Campaign for Caramoor’s Future. From now through June 2020, Caramoor will transform from (heavy equipment) Caterpillar to beautiful butterfly.
Ahead of his Caramoor debut, pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard shares his connections to Messiaen, the challenges that come along with Catalogue d’oiseaux, and what he is looking forward to as he brings the piece to the Spanish Courtyard and Venetian Theater.
by Matthew Guerrieri
Originally appeared in the Summer 2019 Program Book
This June, we kicked off our fabulous summer season and groundbreaking work ahead with our annual Opening Night Gala! We celebrated Susan and Peter Gottsegen for their long time dedication to the wonderful venue we enjoy today. We are grateful to all who made the Gala a successful and memorable event and we appreciate all of the support of our future!
Thank you for celebrating the Gottsegens and the beginning of a new phase of Caramoor!
Originally appeared in the Summer 2019 Program Book
Birds have played a role in Western Classical music since at least the 14th century, when composers such as Jean Vaillant quoted birdsong in some of their compositions. Songs of the nightingale and the cuckoo are historically the most commonly used. Composers and musicians have made use of birds in their music in different ways: Ralph Vaughan Williams and Ottorino Respighi wrote works inspired by birdsong; Olivier Messiaen and John Luther Adams have transcribed or imitated birdsongs in their compositions; and clarinetist David Rothenberg even plays duets with birds!